The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is one of the most historic races in Formula 1, but the modern road course hides a darker past. Decades ago, the race also ran on it’s towering banked oval, a section of track that was eventually abandoned after a series of tragedies.
Monza Built for Pure Speed
When it first opened in 1922, it was designed as a combination of a sweeping road course and two enormous 21-degree banked corners. Together they created a fearsome 10km layout where cars thundered across the start/finish straight twice per lap.
By the late 1950s, it had become the fastest circuit in the world. Drivers were pushing speeds beyond the limits of machinery and safety. Even today, Monza holds that crown — Max Verstappen shattered the track record in 2025, clocking the fastest lap in Formula 1 history at 264.682 km/h.
Early Tragedies at Monza
Monza’s banking quickly earned a deadly reputation.
- In 1928, Emilio Materassi crashed into the main stand, killing himself and 22 spectators.
- In 1933, three drivers were killed in one afternoon.
The tragedies cemented Monza’s image as a breathtaking but unforgiving temple of speed.
The 1961 Monza Disaster
The darkest day came at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari drivers Wolfgang von Trips and Phil Hill arrived at Monza locked in a title fight.
Von Trips, starting on pole, clashed with Jim Clark’s Lotus on lap two. His Ferrari vaulted into the crowd at terrifying speed, killing the German instantly along with 14 spectators. The car bounced back onto the track, leaving chaos in its wake.
Despite the carnage, the race was not stopped. Hill went on to win at Monza, securing the world championship. It proved to be the final Grand Prix held on the banking.
Why Monza’s Banking Still Stands
F1 dropped it’s banking from 1962 onwards, but the concrete structure remains to this day. Demolition plans surfaced in 2000, yet high costs and a global petition fronted by fans and racing legends like Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, and Phil Hill saved it.
Restoration work in the 2010s made the banking safe for visitors, and today fans can still walk its daunting incline outside race weekends.
Monza Today
Since the banking’s removal, Monza has relied solely on its road course. Over the years, chicanes and safety measures have been added, but Monza remains F1’s fastest track.
The old oval now stands as a ghostly relic, reminding fans of the days when Monza pushed Formula 1 to the very edge — and paid the ultimate price.
